Mounting assembly for plug in timing devices

ABSTRACT

A mounting assembly for an electrical timing device including a cylindrical receptacle having a plurality of sockets adapted to receive a plurality of electrical terminal pins mounted on the rear of the timing device. The receptacle includes a panel mounting flange disposed about the open end thereof and having a latch member thereon. The electrical timing device includes a dial housing on which is pivotably mounted a bezel. The bezel is provided with a recess so that when the timing device is inserted within the receptacle the recess is gripped by the latch and the bezel then acts as an engaging lever for forcing the timing device into the receptacle so that the pins are properly inserted into the socket. The dial housing has a plurality of gripping members which engage the inner wall of the receptacle when the device is properly inserted. A clamping screw held captive in the bottom of the bezel engages a pivotable one of the gripping members and as the screw is threaded into the member it provides an outward locking force between the inside of the receptacle and the gripping members.

[ 1 MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR PLUG IN TIMING DEVICES [75] Inventors: Bernard J. Sopko, Jr., Fairfield; Frank J. Papa, Jr., Montville, both of NJ. 1

[73] Assignee: Industrial Timer Corporation, Parsippany, NJ.

[22] Filed: Feb. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 229,925

[52 u.s.c| ..317/120,214/99 51 Int. Cl. ..H02bl/08 [58] FieldofSearch ..-.317/99, 101C, 1018,

317/104, 107, 109, 110., 111, 119, 120, 104, 101 R, 118, 105;'339/123, 125 R,126R; 174/52, 58, 50; 248/27; 338/197 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,054,023 9/1962 Blecker et al. ..317/99 3,093,773 6/1963 Cole ..317/99 X 3,434,013 3/1969 Kadah ..317/99 2,585,887 2/1952 Woodward ..248/27 X 3,201,786 8/1965 Andersen et al... 317/118 X 3,277,234 10/1966 Dekkoet al.... 339/126 R X 3,408,617 10/1968 Broylesm, ..339/126 3,446,467 5/1969 Bailey et a1 .248/27 51 Apr. 10, 1973 3,620,404 11/1971 Grasso ..174/58X Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant ExaminerU. Weldon Attorney-Marshall J. Breen'et a1.

[5 7] I ABSTRACT A mounting assembly for an electrical timing device including a cylindrical receptacle having a plurality of sockets adapted to receive a plurality of electrical terminal pins mounted on the rear of the timing device. The receptacle includes a panel mounting flange disposed about the open end thereof and having a latch member thereon. The electrical timing device includes a dial housing on which is pivotably mounted a bezel. The bezel is provided with a recess so that when the timing device is inserted within the receptacle the recess is gripped by the latch and the bezel then acts as an engaging lever for forcing the timing device into the receptacle so that the pins are properly inserted into the socket. The dial housing has a plurality of gripping members which engage the inner wall of the receptacle when the device is properly inserted. A clamping screw held captive in the bottom of the bezel engages a pivotable one of the gripping members and as the screw is threaded into the member it provides an outward locking force between the inside of the receptacle and the gripping members.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electrical instruments which can be installed and removedrapidly and easily from an instrument panel without rewiring the electrical circuits controlled by the device.

More particularlythe invention relates toa mounting arrangement by which electrical instruments may be IN TIMING positively mounted in an instrumental control panel quickly and properly and can quickly and simply be removed for replacement and servicing.

Prior art devices such as those disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,054,023 and 3,434,013 disclose panel mounted electrical instruments of the plug-in typewhich are adapted to fit within a mounting case permanently installed in a control panel. However, these prior art mounting arrangements require that the mounting case be specifically designed and fitted for the particular electrical instrument design. The present invention however provides an assembly by which the electrical of a bezel member which is pivotably mounted on the dial housing and which can act as an engaging and disengaging lever for inserting or removing the timing device into or out of a'case provided with a mounting flange including a latching member to complement a latching member on the bezel. The complemental latches first act as a fulcrum so that the remainder of the bezel acts as a lever as it is pressed against the flangeto pivot about" the dial housing. This drives the electrical contacts on the rear of the timer into engagement with sockets in the rear of the case to make proper electrical connection.

Therefore it is an object of the invention to provide an electrical instrument assembly which may be rapidly inserted into a mounting case and properly locked into position. v

It is another object of the invention to provide a mounting assembly for plug-in electrical instruments in which a pivotable bezel acts in conjunction with a plurality of mounting case clamping elements to provide for rapid insertion or withdrawal of the instrument from a control panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and objects of the invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view partially broken away and cross sectioned illustrating an electrical instrument assembly partially inserted within a panel mounted mounting case;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1 taken from the opposite side and illustrating the assembly in the installed position in the mounting case;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a mounted assembly; and

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a mounting case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts, there is shown an instrument control panel 10 within which is cut a circular opening 12 for receiving a cylindrical mounting case 14. The mounting case has a forward open end 16 and a rear closed end 18 and includes a flange mounting or backing plate 20 rigidly disposed about the front end. The flange is secured to the instrument panel byconventional means such as screws (not shown) received in holes 22 formed in the flange. The closed end of the mounting case includes a plurality of female plug-in inserts or sockets 24 permanently fixed in bosses 26 formed in the rear wall of the case. The sockets receive a similar number of male terminal prong-type plugs or pins 28 extending from the rear of an electrical instrument 30 which is adapted to be mounted within the case. The rear of the closed end of the case includes a tenninal block 32 for mounting a plurality of terminal screws 34 separated by insulating barriers 36. The screws 34 are threaded into the rear of the sockets 24 for providing electrical connections to external circuits controlled by the instrument 30. Fixed on the top of the forward facing surface of the mounting flange 20 is a latching member 38 having a protruding curved lip, for purposes which will hereinafter be understood.

The electrical instrument 30, which for illustration purposes is shown as a timing mechanism, includes an indexed dial 40 and a pair of timing pointers 42 and 43. A time setting knob 44 is located in the center of the dial for setting the time delay interval of the instrument. The dial pointers and knob are mounted within a dial housing or chassis 46 which encases the dial and pointers and is rigidly secured to the remainder of the instrument 30 and to the terminal pins 28. Projecting rearwardly from the dial chassis 46 is at least a pair of arcuately shaped cars 48 and 49. Also formed on the rear of the dial chassis is a pair of smaller spaced ears 50 and 51 within which a bell crank lever 52 is pivotably mounted by means of a pivot pin 54 extending between the ears 50 and 51. The bell crank lever 52 includes a first leg 56 extending rearwardly in the longitudinally direction of the timing device, and a second leg 58 which is substantially perpendicular to the first leg 56 extending downwardly substantially parallel to the rear of a dial housing when the instrument is in the installed position within the mounting case. Each of the ears 48 and 49, and the leg 56 of the bell crank lever may include on its outwardly extending surface a piece of abrasive material 60, 61 and 62 respectively which is adapted to frictionally grip and hold the inner surface of the mounting case when the instrument is properly installed as hereinafter described. The bell crank lever 52, which acts as a pivot latch, and the ears 48 and 49 are substantially equally spaced about the rear of the dial chassis 46 and define three points of a circle whose diameter is substantially that of the interior wall of the mounting case. It is of course understood that since the bell crank can pivoted about the pin 54 the circle defined by the ears 48 and 49 and the leg 56 of the bell crank is variable to a certain extent, as will be understood.

Pivotably mounted by means of pivot studs 64 and 65 is a substantially rectangular bezel member or dial frame 66 which includes on its rear facing peripheral edge a substantially planar surface 68. When the instrument is properly mounted within the case, the mounting surface 68 abuts the flange so that the spacing from the pins 28v to the mounting surface 68 is substantially-equal to the spacing from the sockets 24 to the flange 20. Thus, when" the mounting surface 68 abuts the flange 20 the pins 28 are properly inserted and make proper electrical contact with the sockets 24. Captively held within a slightly oversized hole 70 in the bottom portion of the front of the bezel is a clamping screw 72 having the head thereof 74 projecting from the outer surface of the bezel. A spring 76 surrounds the screw and abuts the rear of the front bezel surface. The spring is secured to the screw and thereby locks the screw in the hole 70 while allowing limitedmovement thereof. The rear end of the screw is threaded as shown at78 and is adapted to be received within a threaded hole 80 tapped in the leg 58 of the bell crank 52. Formed adjacent the rear edge of the top surface of the bezel is a recess 82 which is adapted to receive the latch 38 and complement the same when the bezel is in the installed position. I

Upon insertion of the timing device 30 into the mounting case receptacle, the bezel 66 is rotated about the pivot studs 64 and 65 to the position shown in FIG.

l. The timing device is then pushed into the case until the recess 82 of the bezel engages the latch 38. The bezel is then depressed at the bottom thereof, which acts as a lever about the pivot studs, to force the timer into the mounting case and to positively insert the pins 28 into the sockets 24 as the mounting surface. 68

of the bezel fully engages the flange 20. As the bezel rotates into a vertical position, the clamping screw 72 engages the threaded hole 80 of the bell crank arm 56. The clamping screw is then tightened which causes the bell crank to rotate counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 1 (clockwise in FIG. 2). The arm 56 engages the interior wall of the mounting case and exerts a force on the inside of the case. This causes a clamping pressure to be exerted between the inside case and the three gripping surfaces 60, 61 and 62, thereby to force these elements into a frictional clamping relationship with the interior of the mounting case. The screw 72 is turned-until the reaction forces prevent further movement of the bell crank and the device is firmly locked into the case.

The timing device may also be locked into any suitable cylindrical container without the use of the engaging recess 82 and the latch 38 by solely employing the clamping screw 72. Threading the screw into the hole 80 of the pivot latch bell crank 52 exerts a clamping force on the gripping tabs 60, 61 and 62 as outlined above.

- To remove the timing device, the above procedure is reversed and the bezel is lifted upwardly from the bottom, pivoting about the pivot studs 64 and 65. The

bezel thereby acts as a lever and disengages the pins 28 from the sockets 24 as the timing device is removed from the case assembly.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of our invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the 'said receptacle, a plurality of electrical terminal pins,

means secured to said chassis for rigidly supporting said pins spaced from said mounting surface, said pins being supported on said chassis for-alignment and mating engagement with said sockets when the assembly is inserted into said receptacle with said surface abutting said flange, a plurality of pressure elements circumferentially spaced about said chassis and facing opposite adjacent inner peripheral surface portions of said receptacle, and meanson chassis for forcing each of said elements into frictional clamping engagement with the respective peripheral portion thereby to lock the assembly in said receptacle.

2. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for forcing each of said elements into frictional clamping engagement includes means pivotably mounting at least one of said pressure elements on said chassis for pivotal movement relative to the adjacent peripheral portion of said receptacle, and means mounted in said bezel for pivoting said one element into abutment with said adjacent peripheral portion and for locking said element against further movement when the peripheral portion prevents further movement of said one element.

3. An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said pressure element comprises a first leg of a bell crank lever, said means for pivoting and locking said pressure element includes a screw captively held in said bezel, a second leg of said bell crank lever having means defining a threaded hole for receiving said screw and positioned relative to said first leg to turn the. first leg toward the peripheral portion when said screw is advanced into said hole.-

4. An electrical instrument mounting assembly comprising a receptacle having an open end for receiving an electrical instrument and a closed end, a panel mounting flange disposed about the open end, electrical sockets in said closed end for receiving electrical terminal pins, an electrical instrument adaptable for insertion into said receptacle, said instrument having electrical terminal pins on its rearward end disposed for alignment and mating engagement with said sockets when said instrument is inserted into said receptacle and a dial housing at its forward end, a bezel having a rearwardly facing mounting surface attached to said housing, a plurality of pressure elementscircumferentially spaced about said instrument and disposed to face adjacent inner peripheral portions of said receptacle when the instrument is within said receptacle, and means on said housing for forcing each of said elements into frictional clamping engagement with its respective peripheral portion when the bezel mounting surface abuts said mounting flange thereby to lock the instrument in the receptacle.'

5. An instrument mounting assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said element forcing means includes a a member mounted in the bezel and actively engageable bezel on said housing for permitting one edge of said mounting surface to abut with said panel mounting ,flange prior to abutment by the remainder of said mounting surface, said bezel and panel mounting flange having complementary latching means actively engageable prior to abutment of the entire mounting surface with said flange, whereby the remainder of said mounting surface may be positioned in abutting relationship with said flange by application of a turning force to said bezel thereby to positively insert said pins in said sockets.

1 means pivotably mounting at least one of said pressure elements on said housing for pivotal movement relative to the adjacent peripheral portion of said receptacle, and means mounted in said bezel for pivoting said one element into abutting relationship with said adjacent peripheral portion and for locking said element against further movement when the peripheral portion prevents further movement of said one element.

8. An instrument mounting assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said one pressure element comprises a first leg of a bell crank lever, said means for pivoting and locking said pressure element includes a screw cap-.

tively held in said bezel, a second leg of said bell crank lever having means defining a threaded hole for receiving said screw and positioned relative to said first leg to turn the first leg toward the peripheral portion when said screw is advanced into said hole.

9. An instrument mounting assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said complementary latching means comprises a protruding lip adjacent the top of said flange, and a recess formed in the top of said bezel.

10. An instrument mounting assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said receptacle is a cylinder and said pressure elements are arcuate. 

1. An electrical instrument assembly adapted to be mounted in a receptacle having a plurality of electrical sockets in a closed end thereof and a mounting flange at the receptive end, said assembly comprising a dial chassis, a bezel attached to said chassis and supported thereby, said bezel including a mounting surface facing said receptacle, a plurality of electrical terminal pins, means secured to said chassis for rigidly supporting said pins spaced from said mounting surface, said pins being supported on said chassis for alignment and mating engagement with said sockets when the assembly is inserted into said receptacle with said surface abutting said flange, a plurality of pressure elements circumferentially spaced about said chassis and facing opposite adjacent inner peripheral surface portions of said receptacle, and means on chassis for forcing each of said elements into frictional clamping engagement with the respective peripheral portion thereby to lock the assembly in said receptacle.
 2. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for forcing each of said elements into frictional clamping engagement includes means pivotably mounting at least one of said pressure elements on said chassis for pivotal movement relative to the adjacent peripheral portion of said receptacle, and means mounted in said bezel for pivoting said one element into abutment with said adjacent peripheral portion and for locking said element against further movement when the peripheral portion prevents further movement of said one element.
 3. An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said pressure element comprises a first leg of a bell crank lever, said means for pivoting and locking said pressure element includes a screw captively held in said bezel, a second leg of said bell crank lever having means defining a threaded hole for receiving said screw and positioned relative to said first leg to turn the first leg toward the peripheral portion when said screw is advanced into said hole.
 4. An electrical instrument mounting assembly comprising a receptacle having an open end for receiving an electrical instrument and a closed end, a panel mounting flange disposed about the open end, electrical sockets in said closed end for receiving electrical terminal pins, an electrical instrument adaptable for insertion into said receptacle, said instrument having electrical terminal pins on its rearward end disposed for alignment and mating engagement with said sockets when said instrument is inserted into said receptacle and a dial housing at its forward end, a bezel having a rearwardly facing mounting surface attached to said housing, a plurality of pressure elements circumferentially spaced about said instrument and disposed to face adjacent inner peripheral portions of said receptacle when the instrument is within said receptacle, and means on said housing for forcing each of said elements into frictional clamping engagement with its respective peripheral portion when the bezel mounting surface abuts said mounting flange thereby to lock the instrument in the receptacle.
 5. An instrument mounting assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said element forcing means includes a member mounted in the bezel and actively engageable with at least one of said pressure elements when said mounting surface abuts said mounting flange, means for pivotably mounting said one element for movement into engagement with the peripheral portion of the receptacle when acted upon by said member.
 6. An instrument mounting assembly as recited in claim 4 including means for pivotably mounting said bezel on said housing for permitting one edge of said mounting surface to abut with said panel mounting flange prior to abutment by the remainder of said mounting surface, said bezel and panel mounting flAnge having complementary latching means actively engageable prior to abutment of the entire mounting surface with said flange, whereby the remainder of said mounting surface may be positioned in abutting relationship with said flange by application of a turning force to said bezel thereby to positively insert said pins in said sockets.
 7. An instrument mounting assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said element forcing means includes means pivotably mounting at least one of said pressure elements on said housing for pivotal movement relative to the adjacent peripheral portion of said receptacle, and means mounted in said bezel for pivoting said one element into abutting relationship with said adjacent peripheral portion and for locking said element against further movement when the peripheral portion prevents further movement of said one element.
 8. An instrument mounting assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said one pressure element comprises a first leg of a bell crank lever, said means for pivoting and locking said pressure element includes a screw captively held in said bezel, a second leg of said bell crank lever having means defining a threaded hole for receiving said screw and positioned relative to said first leg to turn the first leg toward the peripheral portion when said screw is advanced into said hole.
 9. An instrument mounting assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said complementary latching means comprises a protruding lip adjacent the top of said flange, and a recess formed in the top of said bezel.
 10. An instrument mounting assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said receptacle is a cylinder and said pressure elements are arcuate. 